Calumet City election: Incumbent mayor faces write-in challenger

April 03, 2009|By Dennis Sullivan, SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE

CALUMET CITY — Mayoral race

Michelle Markiewicz Qualkinbush, 51

*Incumbent. Seeking a third term.

*Takes credit for attracting and retaining business. Credits the economic development team with wooing Sam's Club to the now vibrant River Oaks West shopping center. In 2008, the Mayor's Advisory Committee on Business Development began offering a business-retention grant to local operations of 10 years or more.

*Takes credit for dealing with flooded residential basements. City officials recently authorized an engineering study for construction of a concrete levy along the Little Calumet River. In the meantime, homeowners who install overhead sewer systems can take advantage of a rebate program.

*Since 2005, the city has added 14 police officers, including the hiring of Edward Gilmore as police chief in 2008, and eight firefighters.

*In 2008, the city built a new roadway that provides access to the Marble Street property, helps a local gelatin manufacturer and potentially opens more than 40 acres for development.

*If re-elected, wants to establish new infrastructure in selected locations to encourage construction of single-family homes on the sites in formerly blighted areas.

Pam Cap, 44

*Challenger who is running as a write-in candidate. A Calumet City police sergeant, she was eliminated from the Democratic primary because she is a municipal employee. A member of the Calumet City Chamber of Commerce.

*Says rising street crime and stilted economic development are two of the biggest issues facing the city.

*Her 22-year career in law enforcement included executing 34 drug search warrants and taking 21 guns off the streets. Says she wants to increase youth- and family-oriented programs to provide local teens with an alternative to "standing on street corners and joining gangs."

*Previously secured a $51,000 grant to fund a police substation in a high crime area and an after-school program for at-risk kids.

*If elected, wants to expand the city's one-person economic development post into a team that would try to attract major corporations and grocery stores.

*Believes the city should look into whether it can develop a river walk similar to those in other cities.

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